Sydney Sweeney's co-star Sharon Stone makes brutal admission about actresses controversial nude sports ad
Sharon Stone has weighed in after her Euphoria co-star Sydney Sweeney found herself at the centre of yet another advertising storm.
Sweeney, 29, recently starred in a provocative campaign for sports prediction platform Novig, appearing nude or nearly nude while posing with sports equipment, including basketball, American football, tennis and ice hockey.
In the ad released earlier this month, supposedly designed to cut through the noise, the topless actress held her breasts while promising viewers the new app would be 'just sports' - 'Just you, your takes and sports'.
But rather than simply becoming another cheeky celebrity campaign, it sparked a major backlash, particularly among female athletes.
Advert
Many argued that the advert sexualised women while claiming to sell a product connected to sport, with much criticism coming from very recognisable names in the sporting world.
Since then, the scandal has seemingly seeped into Hollywood, with legendary movie star Sharon Stone even speaking out.
Speaking to PEOPLE at Variety's 2026 Power of Women event in Los Angeles on Wednesday (23 Sept), 68-year-old Stone implored Sweeney to 'take responsibility' for the backlash she's received in light of the campaign.
Stone began by emphasising that she wasn't there to judge Sweeney - with whom she worked previously on HBO's Euphoria - but said the responsibility for the actress' actions ultimately rests with her.
"I think that it’s up to her to take responsibility for her actions, not up to me to judge her for her actions," the Basic Instinct star explained.
She then redirected her focus towards the women who have built careers in sport, saying she wanted to be 'a cheerleader' for female athletes who had become champions.
"We can’t denigrate women’s sports to get men’s attention so they can gamble," Stone continued.
The Oscar-nominated star also brought up her own experience with sport, recalling how she fought to join her school’s boys' golf team because there was no girls' team available.
"I had something to prove," Stone recalled, explaining that she ultimately 'made the boys'.
The remarks are a stark contrast to how the Golden Globe winner responded following Sweeney's equally controversial 'good jeans' ad for American Eagle last year, which Stone fully supported.
Defending Sweeney's right to embrace her appearance, Stone told the press: "It’s okay to use what mama gave you."
The Total Recall isn't the only star speaking out against Sweeney's latest gig, however.
The response from female athletes has been extensive.
Australian water polo player Matilda 'Tilly' Kearns said she 'absolutely' hated the advert, while world champion boxer Skye Nicolson argued that the issue wasn't women looking sexy while participating in sport, but using sex to sell sport.
Former Olympic runner Hannah Williams described the campaign as a 'disgrace for women in sports', while Olympic weightlifting coach Danielle Bagacay said the sexualisation of women in sport remains an ongoing issue.
Four-time Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus said she was 'infuriated' by the campaign, questioning how the sexualisation and monetisation of women’s bodies was still being used in sports marketing.
British sprinter Amy Hunt also hit back, delivering a very pointed message after competing at the Ultimate Championships: "Sydney Sweeney, this is what women in sport look like."
Meanwhile, gymnast Gracie Kramer called the campaign 'infuriating' and argued that women’s sport was being marketed through the 'male gaze'.
Other athletes, including Australian swimmer Lani Pallister and sprinter Bree Rizzo, responded by sharing footage celebrating the strength, work and dedication involved in women's sport.
Sweeney has appeared to respond to the criticism herself, sharing Instagram Stories featuring female athletes who have previously posed nude or partially nude - including Serena Williams, Ronda Rousey, Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe and Caroline Wozniacki.
She also shared examples involving male athletes.
Novig founder and CEO Jacob Fortinsky has said the campaign was inspired by Sweeney herself.
The Anyone But You star - who is a strategic partner and equity holder in the company - has described the concept as being about 'embracing a fun idea' and putting the focus 'entirely on sports'.
Topics: Sydney Sweeney, Celebrity, US News, Entertainment
Rhianna Benson